Method and apparatus for transferring tape from a plurality of rolls

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for continuously dispensing tape or ribbon from a plurality of coreless rolls of tape is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a plurality of platforms having feed slots therein, a guide channel above the uppermost platform, motor means for rotating the platforms, and tape position detection means for turning on the motor means to align the tape being transferred to the guide channel with the guide channel. The method includes the steps of generally coaxially positioning coreless rolls of tape at vertically spaced-apart tiers, spirally interconnecting the rolls of tape, pulling the innermost tape end from the uppermost roll upwardly through an overhead guide channel and thereby forming a spiralled feeding tape segment below the guide channel, and rotating the rolls of tape to remove spirals formed in the feeding segment by the continued pulling of the tape through the guide channel.

United States Patent Walker [451 June 17, 1975 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING TAPE FROM A PLURALITY OF ROLLS [75] Inventor: Edward S. Walker, Danville, Ky. [57] ABSTRACT [73] Assignee: Corning Glass Wo ks, Co n ng. A method and apparatus for continuously dispensing NY- tape or ribbon from a plurality of coreless rolls of tape [22] Filed: May 6, 1974 is disclosed herein The apparatus includes a plurality of platforms having feed slots therein, a guide channel [21] Appl. No.1 467,452 above the uppermost platform, motor means for rotating the platforms, and tape position detection means for turning on the motor means to align the tape being i. 4

(El i transferred to the guide channel with the guide chan- [58] Fieid 75 2 128 nel. The method includes the steps of generally coaxially positioning coreless rolls of tape at vertically [56] References Cied spaced-apart tiers, spirally interconnecting the rolls of tape, pulling the innermost tape end from the upper- UNITED STATES PATENTS most roll upwardly through an overhead guide channel M 5 W916 f 242/55 and thereby forming a spiralled feeding tape segment X f gi below the guide channel, and rotating the rolls of tape to remove spirals formed in the feeding segment by 3,649,447 3/1972 Turner 242/752 x the Continued pulling of the tape through the guide channel.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 35 SWl 52 37 L r B 52 BO-i m g 0 f l x j/ 26 26 lab-l 1 o 0| I 1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING TAPE FROM A PLURALITY OF ROLLS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for dispensing tape or ribbon and more particularly to a device for continuously transferring tape from a plurality of coreless rolls of tape or ribbon.

2. Description of the Prior Art There is disclosed. for example, in the copending application Ser. No. 467,28l by Edward S. Walker and George A. Douglas, such application being assigned to the same assignee as the present application, an article handling apparatus which utilizes a single roll of tape which must be replenished immediately upon depletion thereof and, accordingly, upon such depletion, it may be necessary that the operation of said apparatus be periodically interrupted, thus resulting in a substantial diminution of the output of the article handling appara tus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for continuously transferring tape from a plurality of coreless tape rolls in response to pulling force exerted on the tape being transferred. The apparatus of the present invention includes at least two vertically spaced-apart platforms, motor means for rotating said platforms, a guide channel positioned above said platforms, and means for actuating the motor means to align the position of the tape relative to the guide means. The platforms include a feed slot adapted to permit the tape to feed therethrough and may extend through the periphery thereof so as to permit a roll of tape initially supported by a lower platform to be repositioned at a higher depleted tier while tape is being pulled from the apparatus.

The means for actuating the motor means may include a photoelectric cell and light source adapted to deenergize a relay to switch on the motor means when that portion of the tape segment immediately below the guide channel is not angularly aligned with the surface of the guide channel and, alternatively, to energize said relay to turn the motor means off when such tape segment portion is substantially parallel to the guide channel.

The present invention also provides for a method of transferring tape from a plurality of tape rolls, including the steps of horizontally and coaxially positioning coreless rolls of tape at a plurality of spaced apart tiers and connecting the innermost tape ends of each roll to the outermost end of the respective next higher tape roll and thereby forming dextrally or sinistrally spiralling tape segments connecting the tape rolls between each tier; pulling the innermost end of the tape roll at the uppermost tier upwardly to and through an overhead generally horizontal guide channel and thereby forming, between said guide channel and said uppermost tape roll, a tape segment spiralling in the same direction as said aforementioned tape segments; and continuing to pull said tape through said guide channel and intermittently rotating said tape rolls in a direction corresponding to the direction of the spiralling of said tape segments to thereby reduce the spirals in the tape segment between said guide channel and said uppermost tape roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a tape dispensing device constructed in accordance with the present invention, with, however, the coreless rolls of tape not being shown therein for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one of the tape supporting platforms shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic diagram and partial per spective view of a tape dispensing device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout, a device for dispensing tape or ribbon is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 and is generally designated by reference numeral 10. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, device 10, utilizing a spiraling mode for transferring tape or ribbon from a plurality of interconnected vertically spacedapart rolls, intermittently or continuously dispenses tape in response to pulling force exerted on the dispensed end of the tape. Accordingly the method and apparatus of this invention may be used to feed tape or ribbon to an automated manufacturing apparatus, such as a packaging machine, without interruption for replenishment of the tape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, device 10 includes a support assembly 12 for supporting a plurality of tape rolls l4 coaxially about a vertical central rod or shaft 16 at separated levels or tiers. The tiers are indicated in FIG. 3 by reference letters IFT, corresponding to the initial feed tier located at the uppermost position, and RFTI and RFTZ, corresponding to the reserve tiers positioned below the initial feed tier. Although FIGS. 1 and 3 show two reserve feed tiers, the invention is not limited to the number of tiers shown, as more or less reserve tiers may be used as desired.

Support assembly 12 includes a plurality of platforms 18a, 18b and situated at tiers IFT, RFTZ, and RFTI, respectively. Platform 180 at tier IFT, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be defined by a horizontally oriented base portion 20, preferably surrounded by a rim 21, having a ramp portion 22 extending downwardly from bend line BL toward the next lowermost tier RFT2 and having a feed cutout or slot 24 extending outwardly from the vicinity of the geometric center of base portion 20, indicated in FIG. 2 by reference numeral C, to or through the periphery of base portion 20. The dimensions of feed cutout 24 are determined by the dimensions and rigidity of tape 13 and by the di ameter of center shaft 16. The angle of incline a of ramp section 22 is also determined by the dimensions and rigidity of tape 13.

Platforms 18a, 18b and 18c are rigidly connected by connecting members 26. The distance between the platforms is also determined by dimensions and rigidity of the tape 13. As shown schematically in FIG. 3, a coreless tape roll 14 is placed on each platform such that the axis of each roll 14 is generally aligned with the geometric center C of each platform. Center rod 16 may then be removably inserted through a support member 27, then through the center of each roll and platform, and then snugly but removably into an upper small diameter end of the bore of a vertically disposed sleeve member 28 having a flanged upper end to the upper surface of which platform 180 is secured. The lower end of the bore in sleeve member 28 is of a larger diameter than said upper end of said bore and a second sleeve, such as 39 and preferably made of brass fits snugly but rotatably, that is, in a slip-fit mating relation ship within said lower end of the bore in flanged sleeve member 28. Sleeve 39 fits snugly about the output shaft 41 of a gear reduction unit 44 of a motor means to be hereinafter discussed and such sleeve is keyed, in any convenient manner, to said shaft 41 for rotation therewith.

The outermost end 30 of tape roll 14 mounted on platform 18a, ie at tier IFT, rests on its respective ramp section 22, extends through its respective feed slot 24. and is permanently connected to the innermost end 32 of the next lower tape roll, with such ends being preferably connected by a suitable adhesive. Such connecting of the ends of said rolls of tape makes the con necting segment 34 of interconnected tape spiral about center shaft 16. The rolls of tape at tiers RFTl and RFTZ are connected in an identical manner.

The innermost end 32 of the roll of tape mounted at tier IFT is pulled out of the center cavity of such roll and a length ofsuch tape is spiralled about center shaft 16 and is pulled upwardly to and through a guide channel 36. thereby providing a feed tape segment 38 (FIG. 3). Guide channel 36 may include a horizontal guide rod 35 and two guide bushings 37 which may be adjusted to receive tapes ofdifferent widths. Guide rod 35 is affixed to support member 27 which is mounted on a base 54 secured to the top ofa table or platform 55. The number of revolutions about center shaft 16 taken by feeding tape segment 38 between tier lFT and guide channel 36 depends on the distance between said tier and channel 36 and the dimensions and rigidity of tape 13.

In order to assure a relatively free transfer of tape from a roll of tape and through guide channel 36, a motor means 45 including a motor 40 and previously mentioned gear reduction unit 44 is provided in the tape transfer apparatus of this invention. As shown schematically in FlG. 1, the platform 18(' at the lowermost reserve feed tier RFT] rests on the aforesaid flange of sleeve member 28 and such member is intermittently driven by motor 40 through said unit 44. Since connecting members 26 interconnect all plat forms, rotational movement applied to the lowermost platform 18c by said motor 40 and unit 44 will in turn cause a corresponding rotation of platform assembly 12.

It is believed expedient to here point out that a suitable source of current for the energization of motor 40 is provided but such source is not shown in the drawings for purposes of simplification thereof. Such source may. for example, be a commercial 1 10 volt source of alternating current whose opposite terminals are desig nated BX and NX, respectively. Similarly, a source of direct current is also provided, such source comprising, for example, a battery of suitable voltage and capacity for energization of components to be described. However, also for purposes of simplification of the draw ings, such direct current source is omitted from the drawings but its positive and negative terminals are designated B and N, respectively. It is also pointed out that a relay R is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings in a conventional manner, that is, by a rectangle representing the control Winding of the relay which includes an electrical circuit controlling contact SW3 which is in a closed condition when said relay control winding is deenergized and is actuated to an open or circuit interrupting condition when said winding is energized as hereinafter discussed.

It will be appreciated that pulling force exerted on tape 13 extending through guide channel 36 will pull tape from the center of the roll of tape 14 on platform 18a, in FIG. 3. such roll being that roll mounted at the initial feeding tier, lFT. As the tape 13 is pulled from the center of said roll, such roll remains stationary and the spirals in segment 38 will increase and eventually such segment will become entrained about shaft 16 if not somehow prevented from doing so. In order to prevent such entrainment, the platforms are periodically rotated in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of spiralling assumed by the tape as it is pulled from the center of the feeding roll of tape. That is, the platforms are periodically rotated in a direction opposite that in which the outermost tape end 30 is rolled about the center of each roll 14. This is done, as described below, in order to compensate for the additional spiralling of segment 38 of the tape 13 caused by the pulling of such tape through guide channel 36.

In order to rotate the platforms and hence the rolls of tape, there is provided an electrical circuit means for energizing motor 40. As shown in FIG. 1 such means includes the aforesaid relay R which is energized or deenergized in accordance with the actuated or nonactuated condition of detection device 46. Detection device 46 is vertically positioned between tier IFT and guide channel 36 and is used to detect the relative position of tape segment 38 in the vicinity of guide channel 36: that is, device 46 detects whether or not that portion of segment 38 at a height near the guide channel is oriented to a position suitable for traversing the guide channel. In other words, detection device 46 detects when the spirals in tape segment 38 have increased in number to such an extend that the uppermost spiral of such segment is sufficiently near guide channel 36 to interfere with proper transfer or supply of the tape to the tape utilization apparatus such as the article han dling apparatus previously mentioned.

Detection device 46 is preferably a photoelectric cell and a light source 48 is positioned so that, when such light source is energized, it beams an actuating ray of light to the receiving lens of said cell 46, the path of such light ray being shown in FIG. 1, by a dotted line designated PL. Photocell 46 and light source 48 preferably lie in a horizontal plane below but parallel to the surface of guide rod 35 forming guide channel 36. Guide rod 35 is used to provide channel 36 and also supports feed segment 38 of tape 13 as shown in FIG. 3. A pair of support members such as 52 are also supported by rod 35 and used to support photocell 46 and light source 48 in said horizontal plane and so that, when light source 48 is energized, light will be transmitted to photocell 46 only if tape feed segment 38 does not interrupt the ray of light emitted through path PL from light source 48. Accordingly, when the section of tape passing between photocell 46 and source 48 is not twisted or spiralled but its front and back surfaces are substantially parallel with light path PL, photocell 46 will receive said light ray and will be actuated to supply electrical energy to the control winding of relay R, thus actuating contact SW3 of the relay to maintain an energizing circuit for motor 40 open. However, when the tape passing between photocell 46 and source 48 is sufficiently twisted or spiralled so as to be not substantially parallel to path of light PL said ray of light or path of light PL will be blocked or interrupted and photocell 46 will no longer be actuated to energize relay R. Relay R will release and close its contact SW3 to energize motor 40.

Accordingly, tape detection device 46 and relay R are used to energize motor 40 only when the segment 38 of tape 13 from the upper roll of tape in the tiers thereof is substantially twisted or spiralled at a position near guide channel 36. The energization of motor 40 of motor means 45 rotates the feeding tape roll in a man ner to reduce the twist or spirals at such position, thereby assuring unimpeded transfer of the feed segment 38 through channel 36. As previously mentioned, the rolls of tape are rotated by motor means 45 in an opposite direction from the direction of upward spiralling of the feed segment 38 about center shaft 16, with such spiralling resulting from the tape being pulled from the center of the uppermost roll thereof and over or through guide channel 36. As soon as the tape passing between the detection device 46 and light source 48 assumes a position such that surfaces of the tape are substantially parallel with the length of guide rod 35, motor 40 is deenergized.

Once the roll of tape at tier lFT is depleted, the tape at the next lower reserve feed tier, RFT2, automatically supplies tape through the cutout or feed slot 24 in the uppermost platform 18a. Since the innermost end 32 of each roll of tape at the next lower tier RFTZ is connected to the outermost end 30 of the roll of tape at the upper feed tier lF'l" and spirals about central shaft 16, the tape fed from the reserve feed tier RFTZ spirals about such center shaft and is transferred through guide channel 36 in the same manner as mentioned above. Likewise, once the tape at tier RFTZ is depleted, the tape at tier RFTl automatically continues to feed tape.

As mentioned above, when the roll of tape at tier lFT has been almost depleted, the outermost end 30 thereof, being connected to the innermost end 32 of the next lower roll of tape, is drawn upwardly and inwardly through cutout or feed slot 24. Accordingly, feed slot 24 must be shaped to prevent restriction of the flow of tape therethrough. As shown in FIG. 2, feed slot does not contact central rod 16, but is spaced from such rod about or around the periphery thereof. The edge 25 of platform 20 and defining slot 24 may be curved so as to guide the tape inwardly as the outermost end of the roll is drawn upwardly. In order to reduce the possibility of damage to the tape being pulled through slot 24, an upwardly extending lip 23 may be formed by a central part of said edge 25 being bent upwardly and outwardly, that is, upwardly and outwardly rolled in the direction of the movement of the tape and in a direction away from center C of platform 20.

In order to replenish the tape at a depleted tier, center rod 16 is lifted upwardly above such tier and the next lower tape roll at a lower tier is moved outwardly and upwardly and placed on the platform at the depleted tier. If only the uppermost tier lFT is depleted, the rolls at tiers RFT2 and RF'll may be consecutively removed from their respective platforms and placed on the platforms at tiers 1F T and RFTZ, respectively. After the depleted tier has been replenished, the lower empty tier or tiers may be replenished by additional rolls of tape and the tape ends connected as hereinbefore described. It is pointed out that the rolls of tape can be replenished, as just described, without affecting or interrupting the operation of a machine which is pulling tape from device 10.

In order to prepare device 10 for operation, rolls of tape are placed on platforms 18a, 18b and and the tape ends of the three rolls are connected as mentioned above. The innermost end of the tape roll at initial feed tier lFT is then pulled from the center thereof with the tape spiralling about central rod 16 at such time. Said innermost tape end is then fed through a path including guide channel 36 and is pulled, drawn or towed to a machine to which the tape is to be transferred. Then the detection device, including photocell 46 and light source 48, is actuated by actuating a suitable switching means, such as a push-pull switch SW1. After the tape is pulled from the feeding roll at tier IFT, and extended through the path mentioned and to said machine the energization circuit for motor 40 is prepared by actuation of a suitable switching means, such as a push-pull switch SW2. Upon the depletion of a roll of tape rotation of the platform is prevented either by opening switch SW2 thereby opening the circuit to motor 40 or by manually arresting the rotation of platform assembly 12 about shaft 41.

it should be noted that device 10 will operate without center shaft 16. When operated without shaft 16, the rolls of tape are interconnected as hereinbefore described and the tape is spiralled upwardly to the guide channel 36 about the axis of the feeding roll of tape. However, when tape is pulled from the feeding roll of tape at different speeds, it is preferable to employ a center shaft 16.

The present invention also provides for a method of transferring tape from a plurality of interconnected coreless rolls, whereby the necessity for replenishing a roll of tape immediately upon its depletion is avoided. According to this method, a plurality of rolls of tape are horizontally and vertically coaxially positioned at a plurality of vertically spaced-apart tiers and the innermost end of each of the tape rolls, except for the uppermost tape roll, is connected to the outermost end of the re spective next higher tape roll, with each of the connecting tape segments between the tiers spiralling in the same direction about the axis of the coaxially supported rolls. The innermost end of the uppermost tape roll is then pulled from such roll upwardly to an over or through an overhead generally horizontal guide channel, thereby forming a spiralled feeding tape segment between the uppermost roll and the guide channel which spirals about said axis in the same direction as said connecting segments. Pulling of the tape through the guide channel may then be performed with the rolls of tape being intermittently rotated in a direction opposite that of the spiralling of the feeding tape segment between said uppermost roll and said guide channel, the rate of speed of such rotation being sufficient to substantially reduce or remove the spirals formed in the feeding tape segment by such further pulling. As the tape in each uppermost roll is depleted, the tape in the next lower roll continues to feed tape spirally about the axes of said rolls, and to and over the guide channeland so forth until depletion of all of the rolls of tape occurs, or unless depleted rolls are replaced by additional rolls prior to such depletion.

It should be understood that the foregoing description relates only to preferred embodiments of the invention and that it is intended to cover all changes and modifications in the examples of the invention herein chosen for the purpose of the invention disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for transferring tape from a plurality of coreless rolls of tape including first and second rolls of tape, each of said rolls having innermost and outermost tape ends, with the outermost end of said first tape roll being connected to the innermost tape end of said sec ond tape roll, thus forming a connecting tape segment, and with the innermost end of said first roll spiralling upwardly from the center of said first tape roll in response to pulling force exerted thereon, thus forming a feeding segment of tape, such device comprising a. a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal platforms for coaxially supporting said plurality of coreless rolls of tape, including a first platform for supporting said first roll of tape coaxially above said second roll of tape, with said first platform having a feed slot to permit said connecting tape segment to feed therethrough upon the depletion of said first roll of tape;

b. guide means above said first tape roll for directing the transfer of said feeding segment of tape;

c. motor means for periodically rotating said plurality of platforms in a direction opposite the direction of spiralling of said feeding segment of tape;

d. means for detecting excessive spiralling of said feeding segment of tape; and

e. means for energizing said motor means in response to detection by said detection means of excessive spiralling of said feeding segment of tape resulting from the application of said pulling force on said first tape roll innermost end.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said guide means is a guide rod having bushings adjustably secured to said rod to provide a horizontal guide channel having a width slightly greater than the width of the tape to be transferred.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said detection means includes a light responsive device for detecting when the angular orientation of a portion of said feeding segment of tape exceeds a preselected angle relative to the axis of said guide rod, and a relay-switch for energizing said motor means, with such relay-switch being actuated by said detection means when said tape portion exceeds said preselected angle.

4. The device of claim 1 and further including a removable vertical central rod for extending through the centers of said tape rolls and said platform feed slot, with such feed slot being sufficiently spaced from the periphery of said central rod to permit said tape to feed between such central rod and said first platform.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said feed slot extends from the vicinity of the center of said first platform and through the periphery of such platform, whereby, upon the depletion of said first roll of tape, said second roll of tape may be lifted to said first platform while tape is being pulled from the center of such second roll of tape.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the lowermost platform of said plurality of platforms is affixed to the upper end of a vertical flanged sleeve member having a downwardly extending vertical bore therein and said motor means includes a vertically extending output shaft member adapted to establish a slip-fit mating relationship within said vertical bore.

7. A method of transferring tape from a plurality of coreless rolls of tape comprising the steps of:

a. horizontally and coaxially positioning a coreless roll of tape at each of a plurality of spaced-apart tiers and connecting the tape end of each such roll to the end of each respective next higher roll to form spiralled tape segments connecting the tape rolls;

b. pulling the innermost end of the tape roll at the uppermost tier upwardly to and through an overhead guide channel to form a feeding tape segment having spirals turning in the same direction as the aforementioned tape segments; and

c. continuing to pull said tape through said guide channel and periodically rotating said tape rolls in a direction opposite the direction of the spiralling of said tape segments to reduce the number of the spirals formed in said feeding tape segment by said continued pulling.

8. The method of claim 7 further including the steps of, continuing to pull tape from a roll at an upper tier until the tape is depleted therefrom and tape is being pulled from a roll at a lower tier; removing the roll of tape at such lower tier and placing such roll at said upper tier; placing a new roll of tape at said lower tier, and; connecting the innermost end of said new roll of tape to the outermost end of the roll placed at said upper tier, thereby replenishing a deplated tape roll while tape is being pulled through said guide channel. 'l 

1. A device for transferring tape from a plurality of coreless rolls of tape including first and second rolls of tape, each of said rolls having innermost and outermost tape ends, with the outermost end of said first tape roll being connected to the innermost tape end of said second tape roll, thus forming a connecting tape segment, and with the innermost end of said first roll spiralling upwardly from the center of said first tape roll in response to pulling force exerted thereon, thus forming a feeding segment of tape, such device comprising a. a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontal platforms for coaxially supporting said plurality of coreless rolls of tape, including a first platform for supporting said first roll of tape coaxially above said second roll of tape, with said first platform having a feed slot to permit said connecting tape segment to feed therethrough upon the depletion of said first roll of tape; b. guide means above said first tape roll for directing the transfer of said feeding segment of tape; c. motor means for periodically rotating said plurality of platforms in a direction opposite the direction of spiralling of said feeding segment of tape; d. means for detecting excessive spiralling of said feeding segment of tape; and e. means for energizing said motoR means in response to detection by said detection means of excessive spiralling of said feeding segment of tape resulting from the application of said pulling force on said first tape roll innermost end.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said guide means is a guide rod having bushings adjustably secured to said rod to provide a horizontal guide channel having a width slightly greater than the width of the tape to be transferred.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said detection means includes a light responsive device for detecting when the angular orientation of a portion of said feeding segment of tape exceeds a preselected angle relative to the axis of said guide rod, and a relay-switch for energizing said motor means, with such relay-switch being actuated by said detection means when said tape portion exceeds said preselected angle.
 4. The device of claim 1 and further including a removable vertical central rod for extending through the centers of said tape rolls and said platform feed slot, with such feed slot being sufficiently spaced from the periphery of said central rod to permit said tape to feed between such central rod and said first platform.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said feed slot extends from the vicinity of the center of said first platform and through the periphery of such platform, whereby, upon the depletion of said first roll of tape, said second roll of tape may be lifted to said first platform while tape is being pulled from the center of such second roll of tape.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the lowermost platform of said plurality of platforms is affixed to the upper end of a vertical flanged sleeve member having a downwardly extending vertical bore therein and said motor means includes a vertically extending output shaft member adapted to establish a slip-fit mating relationship within said vertical bore.
 7. A method of transferring tape from a plurality of coreless rolls of tape comprising the steps of: a. horizontally and coaxially positioning a coreless roll of tape at each of a plurality of spaced-apart tiers and connecting the tape end of each such roll to the end of each respective next higher roll to form spiralled tape segments connecting the tape rolls; b. pulling the innermost end of the tape roll at the uppermost tier upwardly to and through an overhead guide channel to form a feeding tape segment having spirals turning in the same direction as the aforementioned tape segments; and c. continuing to pull said tape through said guide channel and periodically rotating said tape rolls in a direction opposite the direction of the spiralling of said tape segments to reduce the number of the spirals formed in said feeding tape segment by said continued pulling.
 8. The method of claim 7 further including the steps of, continuing to pull tape from a roll at an upper tier until the tape is depleted therefrom and tape is being pulled from a roll at a lower tier; removing the roll of tape at such lower tier and placing such roll at said upper tier; placing a new roll of tape at said lower tier, and; connecting the innermost end of said new roll of tape to the outermost end of the roll placed at said upper tier, thereby replenishing a deplated tape roll while tape is being pulled through said guide channel. 